The next Winston-Salem Neighborhood Watch Association meeting will take place on March 10, 2014. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the Alexander R. Beaty Public Safety Training and Support Center located at 1200 N. Patterson Ave.The Police Department's Community Relations Specialist, Pam Peoples-Joyner, will be talking about community relations. Please arrive early and enjoy the provided snacks.

Identity Theft

Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It’s a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation. It can take time, money, and patience to resolve.

National Night Out will be held on Tuesday August 5. The host site will be selected at the May meeting of the Neighborhood Watch Association.

Merit Badge Workshops

Do you have Boy Scouts in your neighborhood? If so, they may be able to participate in a merit badge workshop hosted by the Winston-Salem Police Department. For the fourth year through a partnership with the Old Hickory Council, scouts in Forsyth County can sign up for our monthly merit badge series. Each workshop will last for about two hours and will provide a scout with information to complete all requirements to achieve the merit badge being offered. The next Merit Badge Workshop is "Safety" and will be held on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. More information can be found on the merit badge registration page.

Crime Prevention Programs

Are you planning your next neighborhood watch meeting and wanting to incorporate a guest speaker? Look no further than the Crime Prevention Unit. Officers in the unit are prepared to attend your meetings and offer classes on personal and home safety, talking to children about strangers or seniors about safety. If you would like to request a program from the Crime Prevention Unit please give us a call at (336) 773-7835.

School Safety

For most of the year, children spend more time at school than anywhere else other than their own home. At school, children need a secure, positive, and comfortable environment to help them learn.

Overall, schools are one of the safest places children can be. However, some schools have problems, such as bullying and theft, which make them less secure. These problems make students and educators feel less safe, and it makes it harder for students to learn and for teachers to do their jobs.

But there are specific ways that parents can make going to school a safer and more valuable learning experience for their children.